Pathogenic organisms

Infectious microbes
Disease-causing bacilli

Nature

Bacteria, viruses, fungi and other microscopic organisms, broadly known as microbes or germs, cause many of the infectious diseases in the world and millions of deaths annually.

Incidence

Pathogenic organisms are responsible for a significant global health burden, causing millions of infections and deaths annually. According to the World Health Organization, lower respiratory infections, diarrhoeal diseases, and tuberculosis—primarily caused by bacteria, viruses, and protozoa—were among the top ten causes of death worldwide in 2019. The incidence of diseases caused by pathogenic organisms is highest in low- and middle-income countries, where sanitation and healthcare infrastructure are often inadequate.
In 2014, the Ebola virus outbreak in West Africa exemplified the devastating impact of pathogenic organisms. The epidemic, centered in Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leone, resulted in over 28,000 cases and more than 11,000 deaths, overwhelming local health systems.

Claim

Pathogenic organisms pose a critical threat to global health, driving epidemics and pandemics that devastate communities and economies. Their ability to evolve and resist treatments exacerbates this crisis, making it imperative for us to prioritize research, prevention, and education. Ignoring the dangers of these microorganisms jeopardizes public health and safety. We must unite in addressing this urgent issue, investing in innovative solutions to combat the relentless rise of infectious diseases and protect future generations.

Counter-claim

Our lives are crucially reliant on microbes. They provide, in one way or another, all of our daily food and that of other animals too – ruminants could not digest grass without them. Pedigree strains are responsible for creating gastronomic delights such as fine wines and cheeses. Microbes were the original source of the world's abundant oil supplies and are the active agents in the process of sewage disposal and composting. Escherichia coli is the principal bacterium of the biotechnology industry which is producing life-saving drugs such as insulin and anti-blood clotting factors. Clostridium acetobutylicum made acetone for the WWI munitions industry.